Chapter 71: The Ji Family vs. The East Sea Alliance

Chapter 071: The Ji Family vs. the East Sea League

In the luxurious villa nestled halfway up Red Moon Manor, Ji Wenxuan, dressed in a traditional Chinese jacket, glanced around at the lavish decor as he entered. “This place is extravagantly decorated—almost like a palace,” he remarked.

“If you like it, I can give it to you,” Blood Fox said with a grin as he followed behind.

“I don’t like it,” Ji Wenxuan replied, showing no courtesy to Blood Fox. He said coolly, “Such a tranquil environment ruined by this gaudy design. The owner of this villa has truly vulgar taste.”

“Damn!” Blood Fox was left speechless, feeling that Ji Wenxuan was showing off to an extreme. Yet, he knew deep down that Young Master Ji wasn’t pretending; this was simply his nature. Even if he was putting on airs, he certainly had the right to do so.

For Ji Wenxuan hailed from the Ji Family.

The Ji Family—an ancient clan renowned across the globe for its formidable power in commerce. Said to have survived for centuries, the family was already established in the early Qing Dynasty. During the chaotic warlord era, the entire Ji clan emigrated overseas, taking with them their immense wealth and resources, finally settling in Singapore.

To the general public, the Ji Family was known as a second-tier commercial family in Singapore. Only the most elite circles and powerful forces understood the true, terrifying influence of the family. It was no exaggeration: a single decision by the Ji Family head could trigger a financial tsunami across Asia, Southeast Asia, or even the world.

With a single word, they could make countless people millionaires overnight—or, just as easily, reduce millions to ruin.

Yet the Ji Family had always kept a low profile, never involving themselves in major business wars. They followed the ancestral maxim: “Make money quietly, remain at peace.”

These simple eight words defined the Ji Family’s conduct for centuries. They never engaged in battles, whether in business or politics, but quietly managed their own enterprises. Their sole purpose was to earn money in peace. To this day, no one outside the family—and perhaps not even all the family members themselves—knew exactly how many businesses or how much fortune the Ji Family controlled, save for the family head and a few core leaders.

The Ji Family might be discreet, but no one dared underestimate them—not even political regimes. Their philosophy of non-involvement meant their businesses faced almost no territorial restrictions; wherever in the world they went, their operations proceeded unhindered. This in turn created one of the world's most unique phenomena.

As for Ji Wenxuan, he was the only direct grandson of the current Ji Family patriarch.

That was why, when Chu Fei heard Ji Wenxuan dismiss Shenghe as a small company, he could only smile wryly. Compared to the Ji Family’s colossal empire, calling Shenghe small was already generous.

Although he regretted asking Ji Wenxuan to temporarily manage Xingyue Group, Chu Fei was still deeply moved by his arrival. He knew just how busy this man was.

The Ji Family’s approach to raising its descendants was unique. Every member, regardless of gender or lineage, would have all financial support cut off at the age of eighteen. The family granted each person a one-time opportunity to borrow startup capital. If you dared to ask, they would lend you a significant sum, but it had to be repaid—double, within ten years.

You could borrow a single dollar or a hundred million; the amount granted depended on your circumstances, but within a decade, it must be repaid at twice the original sum.

This rule had been enforced for centuries without exception. Every Ji Family member had gone through this trial, and it was precisely this method that produced generations of business prodigies.

When Ji Wenxuan turned eighteen, he too was cut off and had to borrow from the family. Boldly, he requested a billion. His audacious move shocked the entire family. Borrowing was easy, but repaying double was difficult—he would have to return two billion.

Everyone thought Ji Wenxuan was insane.

But he quickly proved them wrong. In just over two months, the eighteen-year-old invested the capital in a financial storm sweeping through Northern Europe. At the height of the chaos, he decisively withdrew.

The funds he pulled out weren’t just the original billion—but over fifteen billion, more than fifteen times his initial investment. It became the latest legendary tale in Ji Family history.

With the windfall he gained from this financial “heist,” Ji Wenxuan swiftly founded Tianding Group and Tianding Capital. Nearly a decade later, even without mentioning Tianding Capital—now a global financial giant—Tianding Group alone boasted assets worth over a hundred billion.

Even without the family’s backing, Ji Wenxuan had become a financial titan in his own right, earning the moniker “The Magician of Finance.” In the business world, it was said that if Ji Wenxuan took action, even the impossible would become possible.

According to family rules, profits made with family loans—except for the double repayment—were not reclaimed. This surplus became one’s personal “war chest.” Ji Wenxuan had long since repaid the family, and now all profits belonged to him. His personal fortune was truly staggering.

Now, the world-renowned “Magician of Finance” had deigned to visit a small place like Kun City, simply because of a call from Chu Fei. If word got out, it could cause a financial upheaval.

—

Ignoring Blood Fox’s frustration, Ji Wenxuan sat on the leather sofa, sipping fragrant tea personally served by Liu Huamei. Only then did he look at Chu Fei, his expression solemn and dignified...

At that moment, not just Blood Fox, but even Chu Fei felt this bastard was a master at putting on airs. Even knowing it was his natural style, he couldn’t help but want to punch him.

Blood Fox was right—this man was born to show off.

Before Chu Fei could speak, Ji Wenxuan’s next words left him stunned.

“Chu Fei, do you realize you’ve stirred up a big problem?” Ji Wenxuan looked at him seriously, not joking in the slightest.

“What problem?” Chu Fei blinked, puzzled.

Ji Wenxuan didn’t answer immediately, but frowned. “After your call, I had someone look into Liu Ping’s background these past years. I uncovered something unexpected.”

“What was it?” Chu Fei’s curiosity grew. If he didn’t know Ji Wenxuan’s identity, he’d think the man was just being mysterious.

“Have you heard of the East Sea League?” Ji Wenxuan asked in return.

“You mean Liu Ping is with the East Sea League?” Chu Fei’s expression shifted. He finally understood what Ji Wenxuan was getting at.

Ji Wenxuan didn’t answer directly, but continued, “The East Sea League, also known as the East Sea Business Alliance, is nominally a business coalition led by the Feng family of the East Sea. But in reality, it’s far more complex than outsiders know. The Feng family is just one member; the alliance’s influence extends far beyond the East Sea region. All of Central and Southern China’s business circles—even Southeast Asia—are within reach of the East Sea League...”

Chu Fei couldn’t help but frown. He’d heard of the East Sea League before, but never in such detail.

“Liu Ping may be just a small, peripheral member of the League, but he’s still part of it. You’ve really found trouble this time,” Ji Wenxuan said with a wry smile.

“You’re saying the East Sea League will avenge Liu Ping?” Chu Fei smiled indifferently. From Ji Wenxuan’s explanation, the East Sea League had more than enough power to uncover everything behind the scenes, but Chu Fei showed no concern.

“Not necessarily.” Ji Wenxuan shook his head. “Liu Ping is only on the fringes, and business is like war—victors take all. The East Sea League probably won’t go to war over a minor member. I just wanted to warn you in advance, so you’re prepared.”

“You mean, the League will contact me themselves?” Chu Fei caught his drift.

“Since Shenghe is a member of the League and now under your control, it’s inevitable they’ll send someone to approach you. The only reason they haven’t already is because they’re still assessing your background. They’re observing,” Ji Wenxuan nodded.

“Let them come. Am I supposed to be afraid?” Chu Fei said nonchalantly.

“I admire your recklessness,” Ji Wenxuan laughed.

“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Chu Fei shook his head, half-smiling.

“Both,” Ji Wenxuan replied, then frowned. “There’s one more thing. According to family intelligence, the East Sea League isn’t just a business alliance. Within it is a special group called the East Sea Guild.”

Chu Fei frowned, unfamiliar with the term.

“The East Sea Guild is a specialized unit trained by the League. If the League is a business empire, the Guild is its military force. It’s composed entirely of true experts—responsible for handling special disputes and issues...”

“A criminal syndicate?” Chu Fei raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

“Not exactly,” Ji Wenxuan smiled. “But you don’t have much to worry about. The Guild has strict rules, or the League would have long since ruled China.”

“In any case, thank you. I really didn’t know much about this before,” Chu Fei said sincerely.

“No need for such formality between us,” Ji Wenxuan smiled, then stood. “I’ve said what I needed to say. Leave the rest to Yan Chu. I rarely visit the mainland, and I have two friends to see.”

“You’re leaving now? Not staying to help me sort out the company?” Chu Fei exclaimed, surprised at Ji Wenxuan’s sudden departure.

“You think Yan Chu spent these years at my side for nothing? Consolidating a small company like this is child’s play for her,” Ji Wenxuan replied with a faint smile. Without giving Chu Fei a chance to object, he strode out of the villa and disappeared.

“Damn, he left so easily. Isn’t he afraid of getting killed, swaggering around like that?” Blood Fox muttered behind him.

“Don’t worry. Even if you went out and got yourself killed, he wouldn’t lose a hair,” Chu Fei said confidently. He knew all too well how fearsome the Ji Family was. There was no way they’d really let their future heir wander around alone.

The next moment, Chu Fei turned, staring in surprise at the demure Bai Yan Chu, standing quietly by his side.

Was his childhood fiancée truly this formidable?

Chu Fei wondered.

ps: Extra update today—like last time, three bonus chapters, five in total. This is the first, the second will be at 6 PM!